Online study to improve safety and mental health of women experiencing abuse

Research participants are being sought for an online study to improve safety decisions and mental health of women in abusive partner relationships. Further information is provided by the researchers below:

‘isafe’ is a New Zealand Internet-based study to improve safety decisions and mental health of women in abusive partner relationships. The innovative use of the Internet gives women privacy to consider their personal safety options, informs them about the danger in their relationship and identifies where help is available within their community.

isafe recruitment is underway. Women aged 16 years and older, experiencing abuse within their current intimate partner relationship and with safe computer and internet access are eligible to participate.

Four internet based surveys are completed over a 12 month period. The study is voluntary and confidential with no in-person meetings. Women will be asked questions about themselves, their partner, and questions about their relationship. They will also be asked about risk factors, safety seeking behaviours and use of community resources.

Safety of participants is paramount, with emergency exit feature and information on how to access the internet safely and create a private email account.

If you know of any women who may be interested, please direct them to the isafe website – www.isafe.aut.ac.nz or call free phone 0508 447 233 for more information.

Should the isafe Internet safety decision-aid prove to be effective, it will provide a cost-effective, evidenced based safety planning tool that can be translated into practice by multiple health disciplines and advocates. 

The study is funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand. The Project Leader is Jane Koziol McLain, Professor of Nursing, AUT – jkoziolm@aut.ac.nz.